wine pairing 101 with sommelier victoria james

make it a valen-wine's day ;)

Feb 14, 2025

you guys know I don’t need an excuse to talk about, think about, or drink wine.

and I knew just who to turn to for all my burning questions: victoria james. victoria has worked in restaurants since she was 13, became certified as a sommelier at 21 (the youngest in the country!), and is the co-founder of WINE EMPOWERED, an amazing non-profit, which aims to diversify the hospitality industry by offering free wine classes to women and BIPOC. so excited to swirl, sip + savor every single drop of her wide-ranging expertise!

and what better day than today to share our love of wine with you?

victoria knows her stuff. she is responsible for the longest champagne list in america (!) at COQODAQ, received the rare michelin sommelier of the year award in 2022, and has literally written the book (actually, two!) on wine.

in this special v-day newsletter, we debunk some outdated wine rules + pairings (I must try the unexpected pairing that she says “tastes like mediterranean sunshine all bottled up” ASAP), go deep on some of victoria’s favorite winter wines, and even put together some menu suggestions, whether you’re dining with a partner, a friend, or having a sexy solo date.

I, for one, will be bookmarking this encyclopedic list for tonight and the rest of winter, too. enjoy!

your (my) burning wine questions, answered

so, starting with the question we all need the answer to: is white wine actually a no-go in winter? if not, which would you recommend?

wine shouldn't have a season! red, white, rosé – year round! my favorite winter white is a heartier white burgundy, like a village-level puligny-montrachet or chunky meursault. they're powerful enough to stand up to hearty stews and winter dishes with big proteins. textural whites from the rhône valley work well too, don't be frightened of a little heft in your whites!

and what makes certain wines better for cold weather?

I kind of like my winter wines to wrap around me like a warm blanket and fortify my spirit – so look for fuller-bodied whites. good news, fuller-body = higher alcohol! it means you get some richness on the palate and a bit of fattiness and fleshiness, which is just a dream with winter foods.

I know there are tons of libido-boosting foods, but is there any truth to certain wines being better for libido?

absolutely! NERD TALK: alcohol in small amounts will increase your libido. this is because ethanol stimulates a primitive part of your brain called the hypothalamus which regulates body temperature, hunger, and, of course, your sex drive. fun fact: it’s been shown that alcohol tends to arouse women more than men. no better time to drink wine than in those cold winter months when canoodling is extra cozy!

my professional advice is a glass of wine & shag a day, keeps the doctor away!

umm SAME. what are you valentine’s day wine must-haves?

CHAMPAGNE. nothing is sexier than a bottle of champagne. it is celebratory, can be enjoyed as both an apéritif and with most savory dishes, plus the expended yeast cells help aid in digestion so you feel great after. the only wine Marilyn Monroe would drink for this reason!

chilled red. yes, it is cold in February, but having a big, hot, red will make you super flushed and maybe not feeling your best. slightly chill a red that is leaner like a cru beaujolais, grenache, or rossese; put it in your fridge about 45 mins before opening; and serve in picardie tumblers or rocks glasses for a casual affair.

lambrusco. wildly affordable, there are some amazing options in the market now, and a fizzy red is always a fun time.

rosé. pink wine is sexy! yes, even in the winter! and it is truly the most versatile of beverages, so no matter what you are eating, it will pair well.

ok — and what about food + wine combos for vday?

fondue & swiss whites. people often forget that the land of chocolate and cheese also makes wine! swiss wine is incredible, and there's nothing better than a chill, mineral-laden glass of chasselas with a pot of fondue.

strawberries. please, no, don't say champagne! this pairing was back when champagne was historically sweet, but nowadays most champagne is quite 'brut!' and will give you that nails-on-a-chalkboard vibe when paired with sweeter strawberries. instead, go with something that has power to match the berries like a bugey-Cerdon from eastern france, which is made in the ancestral méthode that predates champagne, so there is a bit of sweetness and quite honestly, a glass tastes like a bowl full of berries in itself.

chocolate. you might be surprised to find out that chocolate is a NIGHTMARE to pair with wine because it is highly bitter, sweet, and acidic. it's just such a challenge! the age-old idea of red wine and chocolate is actually super outdated unless you're drinking VERY sweet reds. that being said, there are some dream chocolate pairings I love:

match the sweetness. every sommelier learns that the one true pairing for chocolate is banyuls – the OG fortified wine from the south of france that pre-dates ruby port but is kind of the same vibe (though usually half the price)! this is a true sweet red, and you just need a few drops with chocolate, it tastes like mediterranean sunshine all bottled up, and their rancio versions have a nice funk to them as well! this would CRUSH with a tahini chocolate mousse.

or go savory. choose a richer beer, don't try and match the acid and sweetness, but instead play up the malty/nuttiness of the beer itself. I had this amazing pairing once from aldo sohm at le bernardin with one of their signature chocolate tarts and a foamy glass of trappistes rochefort – amazing. and you don't die of a sugar coma afterward!

still searching for that perfect pairing? here’s what victoria would pair with my wintery recipes, all available on edeneats.com:

green olive and artichoke pasta with parsley and lemon – a bandol rosé is a dream with any sort of mediterranean feast – think dishes laden with garlic, anchovies, artichokes, olives, etc. artichokes have an active component called cynarin, which – when it meets tannin (found in red wine) – makes your whole mouth feel metallic, so this is why it is always a nightmare to try and pair. go with rosé! my favorite is domaine tempier bandol rosé with any artichoke dish.

sheet tray herbed lamb meatballs with squash – with lamb, I love the 'noble red' grape of the italian south – aglianico. up north sangiovese and nebbiolo are king, but down by napoli, you have the chewy and vibrant aglianico with thick blackberry flavors, and a ton of herbaceousness. with a slight chill to freshen it up (cellar temp is 55 degrees so don't get warmer than this!), it takes the super gaminess out of the lamb and somehow makes the meat even more mouthwatering.

mushroom soup with gruyere toast – winter is for mushrooms and burgundy! red and white burgundy, alike. especially with gruyere – which, although it is swiss, is so close to burgundy, they're right in that divine circle of eastern france/western switzerland where mushrooms and alpine cheeses reign supreme. think a village-level red burgundy like a volnay from a great producer, or a heartier white burgundy like a saint-aubin.

from now on, i’m going to the liquor store armed with these tips from Victoria to guide my way. huge shoutout to victoria for sharing her expertise with us, and showing us the way when it comes to winter + valentine’s wine!!

and speaking of wine — what would be a better valentine’s (or galentine’s!) gift than our decadent, wine-filled Modern Adventure trip to Sicily in October?

come hang with me, bring your girls, your appetites, and your love of all things wine. we’ll learn about (and more importantly, taste!) the best of Sicily’s iconic wine and we’ll have the best time doing it. secure your spot here! 🍷🤎

highlights from our itinerary:

day 3: after visiting Mt. Edna (an active volcano almost 11,000 ft. over the island), we’ll visit a local winery where heritage vines reach an altitude of over 3,000 ft. producing delicate whites and intense, fruit-forward rosés and reds.

day 5: after visiting the iconic salt plains of Marsala, we’ll visit a winery that specializes in traditional western Sicilian fortified wine. plus, a traditional Sicilian lunch at the winery!

(the whole itinerary is dreamyyyy – see more here 😍)

happy v-day, loves! comment what you’re drinking (or eating!) tonight 😉 cheers!